Beer Run: Gluten-Free Beer

Be it known across the land, that May 16th will henceforth be known as Gluten-Free Beer Day in the City of Roses. This should be an episode of Portlandia.

In honor of this special occasion (and hopefully soon-to-be national holiday), I've decided to profile five gluten-free beers. Why on earth would a non-Celiac subject himself to such folly? I guess I'm a gluten for punishment. Please, hold your applause...

Gluten-free beers get a bad wrap because they don't match up to their gluten laden brethren when it comes to taste. Or at least they didn't. Things are changing in the gluten-free beer world. During the next week or so, I'll profile the following gluten-free beers:

Adams to Make Official Proclamation at 9:30 a.m. at City Council Meeting

Portland, Ore. (May 15, 2012) – On Wednesday, May 16 at 9:30 a.m., Mayor Sam Adams will declare it to be Gluten-Free Beer Day in Portland, Ore., and every May 16 henceforth. In an official ceremony held at City Hall, Adams will deliver the following proclamation to supporters and brewers of gluten-free beer, including Omission Beer, Deschutes Brewery and Harvester Brewing. Following is an abbreviated proclamation:

Whereas, May marks the annual Celiac Awareness Month, recognized by most celiac organizations and research centers across the country and throughout the world;

Celiac disease is one of the most common chronic diseases in Western countries;

According to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, more than 3 million Americans have celiac disease and must monitor gluten intake, equating to 1 in 133 Americans;

More than 95% of Celiacs are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions;

A 100% gluten-free diet is the only existing treatment for celiac disease today as there are no pharmaceutical cures;

Portland, Ore., home to nearly 50 craft breweries, where the people of Portland know and appreciate great craft beers, is leading the effort to create gluten-free beer for those affected with gluten sensitivities;

The City of Portland acknowledges and applauds the efforts to declare this day in celebration of local breweries that are doing their part to bring awareness to a disease that affects many, and providing beer products specially crafted to be gluten-free for all to enjoy;

Now, therefore, I, Sam Adams, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim May 16, 2012 to be Gluten-Free Beer Day in Portland, and encourage all residents to observe this day.

About Omission Beer

Omission Beer is a new brand of gluten-free craft beers, available only in Oregon. Brewed by Widmer Brothers Brewing in Portland, Ore., Omission is the first craft beer brand in the United States focused exclusively on brewing great tasting craft beers with traditional beer ingredients, including malted barley, that are specially crafted to be gluten-free. Each batch of Omission Beer is tested using the R5 Competitive ELISA test, to ensure that every batch contains well-below the international standard for gluten-free of 20 ppm gluten. Drinking is believing.

About Deschutes Brewery

Deschutes Brewery jumped into the gluten-free brewing scene back in 2007 and always has a gluten-free beer on tap at both its Bend and Portland pubs. After brewing 48 different batches, the goal remains to brew a great beer that is gluten-free, rather than brewing a great gluten-free beer. Although a silver and a bronze medal from the Great American Beer Festival hang on the pub walls from their process, Deschutes Brewery continues to work with different styles to serve the gluten-free world.